In a move that probably surprises no-one, and in the wake of Chris Pennie leaving Coheed & Cambria, the band’s former drummer Josh Eppard is rejoining the band after almost exactly five years. Following are some choice quotes from the full press release, which you can read here at ever-reliable The PRP.
“As the songs for the new record began twisting into shape, it slowly became apparent that these songs were very dynamic, and could truly flourish with the groove-oriented approach that Josh naturally brings to the table. We also missed Josh as a person -what he meant to us as friends and the energy and humor he exudes. But this isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about who we are now, and what we can achieve musically and as a family, together going forward.”
For Coheed fans disappointed with the last album Year Of The Black Rainbow (*raises hand*), this is promising. Chris Pennie is an amazing drummer, and I’m not saying it was his influence or fault that the album was lacklustre, but the return of Eppard may help smooth a return to form with album six, which they have started working on at Applehead Studios already.
There was what I feel was a bit of a backhander to Eppard, however:
“We understand there are risks involved bringing Josh back into the fray. Even with his two-years of sobriety, this is a giant leap of faith on our part. But at the end of the day, we have all grown up, and we have all been through so much, that playing with Josh again is sort of like coming home. It’s comfortable, it’s familiar, it just feels right… it’s hand in glove.”
I don’t think that needed saying to be honest. It’s nobody’s business but theirs, and if it was even an issue then they wouldn’t have brought him back. Bad show, chaps. That said, Eppard addresses the issue himself (see PRP link above), so I guess he isn’t calling foul.
Anyway, I wait with cautious cynicism to be impressed.
- CG
